The San Francisco 49ers welcome the Seattle Seahawks to town this Thursday in a matchup of NFC West foes on Thursday Night Football. The series is tied up at 13 games apiece, with the 49ers having won the last three. The 49ers controlled the series for much of the 80s and 90s, but the Seahawks put together a sizable run much of the last decade.
The 49ers will be looking to bounce back from Sunday's incredibly disappointing 26-3 loss to the New York Giants. The most notable positive from that game saw Randy Moss reach 15,032 career yards, becoming just the fourth player in NFL history to surpass 15,000 career receiving yards. He trails Jerry Rice (22,895), Terrell Owens (15,934) and Isaac Bruce (15,208) for the most receiving yards in NFL history. Although Moss and Bruce will have spent a minimal amount of their career in San Francisco, it's crazy to think that this foursome have all spent time in red and gold.
Under Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers have gone 4-0 in games following a loss. Add in the struggles that road teams often have with Thursday Night Football, and the 49ers are in prime position to get back on the winning track.
The most notable matchup this week will likely be in the ground game. The 49ers rank No. 1 in the NFL in rushing yards per game (176.8), while the Seahawks rank No. 2 in rushing yards allowed per game (70.0). This is a case of the irresistible force meeting the immovable object. While many football fans like big time offense, I am looking forward to this particular offense vs. defense battle. I think the 49ers are talented enough to emerge victorious, but this will be a tough one, even as home game.
Coaching Connections
49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh and Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll last faced each other in a Pac-10 matchup at the Los Angeles Memorial Stadium (11/14/09). Harbaugh led Stanford, 55-21, over Carroll and USC. Harbaugh held a 2-1 edge over Carroll in their 3 meetings from 2007-09.
Carroll, a native of San Francisco, CA, coached for the 49ers from 1995-1996, serving as the defensive coordinator.
49ers offensive line coach Mike Solari held the same title with the Seahawks from 2008-2009.
Solari and Carroll also worked together with the 49ers from 1995- 96, Solari was the tight ends/assistant offensive line coach and Carroll was the defensive coordinator.
Seahawks linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. (1994-2000) and secondary coach Kris Richard (2005-06) played for the 49ers.
49ers wide receivers coach John Morton coached at USC under Pete Carroll (2007-10) with Seahawks Kris Richard (2008-09), assistant offensive line coach Pat Ruel (2005-09), special teams coach Brian Schneider (2009) and secondary assistant coach Rocky Seto (1999-09).
49ers running backs coach Tom Rathman held the same position for the Oakland Raiders (2007-08) when Seahawks offensive line/ assistant coach Tom Cable was head coach.
49ers special teams assistant Tracy Smith is the son of Seahawks quarterbacks coach Carl Smith.
49ers-Seattle Connections
49ers secondary coach Ed Donatell coached at the University of Washington (Graduate Assisant - 1981-82; Defensive Coordinator - 2008).
49ers special teams assistant Tracy Smith was a coaching assistant with the Seahawks in 2011.
49ers S Dashon Goldson attended the University of Washington (2004-06).
Seattle-Nor Cal Connections
Seahawks tight ends coach Pat McPherson is a native of Santa Clara, CA, was a linebacker at Santa Clara University from 1991-92 and a quality control/defensive volunteer for the 49ers in 1996.
Seahawks RB Michael Robinson spent 4 seasons (2006-09) with the Niners, including two years as a special teams captain.
Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin, 2007-10, TE Evan Moore, 2003-07 and CB Richard Sherman, 2006-09, attended Stanford, and all played for 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch (2004-06), RB Justin Forsett (2004-07) and DT Brandon Mebane (2003-06) played at Cal.
Seahawks S Chris Maragos originally signed with 49ers as an undraftred free agent in 2010, and spent the entire season with the club.
Seahawks WR Braylon Edwards played in 9 games for the 49ers in 2011.
Collegiate Connections
Tiger Teammates - 49ers CB Carlos Rogers, the recipient of the 2004 Jim Thorpe Award, was teammates with Seahawks WR Benjamin Obomanu at Auburn from 2002-04.
Ok State Cowboys - 49ers RB Kendall Hunter, 2007-09, 49ers CB Perrish Cox, 2006-09, and Seahawks T Russell Okung, 2006-09, played together at Oklahoma State.
The Big House - 49ers WR Mario Manningham and Seahawks DT Alan Branch were teammates from 2005-06 season at Michigan.
Sun Devil Sidekicks - 49ers WR Kyle Williams and Seahawks TE Zach Miller played together at Arizona State in 2006.
Series Highlights
Matchups: 26
Series record: Series tied 13-13
49ers home record vs. Seahawks: Series tied 6-6
First Meeting: 9/26/76, 49ers win 37-21, at Sea.
Last Meeting: 12/24/11, 49ers win 19-17, at Sea.
Current Streak: Won 3
Longest 49ers win Streak: 3 - 2 times (11/25/85 - 12/8/91, 12/12/10 - Present)
Longest Seahawks win Streak: 6 (10/12/03 - 12/11/05)
Most 49ers Points: 40 (12/12/10): 40-21, at SF
Most Seahawks Points: 42 (11/7/04): 42-27, at SF
49ers Shutouts: None
Seahawks Shutouts: 2 (Last 11/12/07), Seahawks win 24-0, at Sea.
2012 Statistics
49ERS (rank)
SEAHAWKS (rank)
4-2 (t-1st NFCW)
Record
4-2 (t-1st NFCW)
25.3 (11th)
Points per game
18.3 (t-26th)
387.0 (8th)
Total Offense
300.7 (29th)
176.8 (1st)
Rushing Offense
131.0 (7th)
210.2 (26th)
Passing Offense
169.7 (31st)
31:40 (8th)
Possession Avg
31:01 (13th)
15.7 (3rd)
Points allowed/gm
15.5 (2nd)
275.8 (1st)
Total Defense
294.7 (4th)
92.7 (9th)
Rushing Defense
70.0 (2nd)
183.2 (2nd)
Passing Defense
224.7 (13th)
9 (t-26th)
Sacks
17 (t-6th)
47.9 (10th)
Punting Avg (Gross)
50.7 (4th)
+2 (t-10th)
Turnover Differential
-1 (t-19th)